Introducing The Herald News tennis all-star team

Westport and Somerset Berkley each boast a pair of boys’ singles players, while Bishop Stang’s girls’ program has representatives on both the singles and doubles squads on The Herald News all-star tennis team.

Westport and Somerset Berkley each boast a pair of boys’ singles players, while Bishop Stang’s girls’ program has representatives on both the singles and doubles squads on The Herald News all-star tennis team.

Here is a closer look at those stars on the court.

BOYS’ SINGLES

NICK ROSA (Westport): The Wildcats’ senior went 11-3 in the regular season and 12-4 including the playoffs from the No. 1 slot. Rosa helped guide Westport to a 15-1 overall mark and the top-seed in the Division 3 South Sectional tournament, where the Cats fell to Pope John Paul II in the semifinals.

GEORGE MACHAIRAS (Westport): Machairas was a difference maker for the Wildcats at the No. 2 singles position. He was 13-2 in the regular season and 14-3 in the playoffs, providing the Wildcats with great depth in singles matches. One of his losses came when he filled in at No. 1. Machairas helped the Cats to a 15-1 regular-season mark.

ZACH PAVAO (Somerset Berkley): The senior co-captain was a three-year starter and made the big jump from second doubles to first singles. He worked hard to become a credible No. 1 and had a 7-1 record against Great Fall River opponents in the top spot. He had very good concentration and was a consistent player who continued to improve throughout the course of the season.

CAM IWANICKI (Somerset Berkley): Like his teammate Zach Pavao, he made the jump from doubles, where he was a part-time starter, to a mainstay in singles. He led the team with 14 victories and was a key player in five 3-2 team victories. His weapons were his determination, grit and hustle as he won his matches by outworking the opposition.

TONY NGUYEN (Bishop Connolly): A first-year player, Nguyen, a senior, stepped up and took over the No. 1 position and guided the Cougars into the South Sectional tournament. “He came in a did a great job for us,” said Bishop Connolly coach Gary Howaycek. “He has a lot of respect for the game.” Nguyen was named the MVP of the Mayflower Ahletic Conference.

GIRLS’ SINGLES

KATIE VASCONCELOS (Bishop Stang): Just a sophomore, Vasconcelos is already one of the top tennis players in the area and racked up a 13-2 regular season as the Spartans’ No. 1 player. She made it to the quarterfinals of the individual state tournament this year, but she had to forfeit that match due to illness. “Katie is one of those players that has the total package-power, speed, discipline, and excellent ball placement,” said Bishop stang coach Cara Healey. “I’m excited to see what the next two years will bring.”

Page 2 of 2 - COURTNEY BAILEY (Durfee): A three-year starter, Bailey helped guide the Hilltoppers to the state tournament from the No. 1 position. A senior captain, Bailey was a Big 3 all-star. “She’s an extremely hard worker,” said Durfee coach Gene Polselli. “She worked hard at her craft and it paid off.”

BO ROMAN (Somerset Berkley): Roman compiled a 12-win season facing a difficult schedule as the Raiders’ top singles player and has been a staple in the Somerset Berkley tennis program, finishing her career third on the all-time victory list with 66 wins (34 doubles wins, 32 singles). Roman was named an Eastern Athletic Conference all-star.

KELSEY GRAY (Somerset Berkley): At No. 2 singles, Gray provided Somerset Berkley with a more-than-solid 1-2 punch, teaming with fellow all-star Bo Roman. Gray finished the season with 13 victories, two of them coming in the No. 1 spot. Gray was also named an Eastern Athletic Conference all-star.

BOYS’ DOUBLES

RICH HARTNETT/LYLE ROSA (Westport): Hartnett and Rosa were a key reason why the Cats were the top seed in the Division 3 South Sectional tournament and had a 15-1 regular-season record. Hartnett and Rosa suffered one regular-season loss this year, falling to Case’s Nick Kenyon and Griffin Bushell. Both Hartnett and Rosa were league all-stars.

NICK KENYON/GRIFFIN BUSHELL (Case): Kenyon and Bushell teamed up for the third season this year and suffered just two regular-season losses. In their three years of doubles together, they compiled a 46-12 record. Kenyon and Bushell are both seniors and were both named South Coast Conference all-stars.

GIRLS’ DOUBLES

SMITA RAJAN and CHARLOTTE BEDNARZ (Bishop Stang): The Spartan duo finished the regular season at 13-3 in their first year playing together. “Smita had great net play and could kill many shots,” said Spartan coach Cara Healey. “Charlotte has a fantastic serve and ball placement. They pushed each other hard, were a formidable team, and still managed to have fun.”

MAURA FENNESSEY and JANE LIMA (Bishop Connolly): Fennessey, a four-year starter, and Lima, a three-year starter, went undefeated in league play and sported a 13-3 overall record as the No. 1 doubles team for the Cougars. Fennessey was also named a Mayflower Athletic Conference all-star.